1980 Morris LF-500 3/4-Size Dreadnought Guitar

For someone like me -- a fan of Japan-made Daion and Yamaki acoustics from the late '70s and early '80s -- this is a fascinating guitar. It's quite high quality and sounds way larger than I expected it to. I want to say it's related to a Daion or Yamaki build because it's so similar to nicer Daions, but I can't confirm that. Perhaps someone who knows more about Morris acoustics can chime in?

So -- what is it? It's a 3/4-sized take on a Martin D-35. That puts it at a 22 3/4" scale length ("terz" length) with a body like a wide-waisted 00-size guitar. The most curious thing is that it sounds like a D-35 or D-28. If you stuck a mic on it and put it in a bluegrass or old-time record your ears could easily be deceived by it -- except for the fact that the shorter scale length means the overall voice (while very Martin) is a little woodier and more fundamental and "flattened" a bit -- sort-of like a Gibson Hummingbird or the like.

Yeah, of course I like it. I did find the very-Martin/very-Daion medium-C/V neck shape plus a narrow nut width to be a little uncomfortable for fingerpicker-y chords, though. You can tell in the video that I'm choking-up a bit now and then.

Details? These start being listed in the Morris catalogs in 1980 and by 1981 the model name was different. I'd say that puts this at 1980 right on the dot. The top is solid spruce but it looks like it has a thick layer of solid with a thin layer laminated to it on the bottom. This is odd but perhaps it's to combat cracking? The thing sounds solid and acts solid. Actual does not sound this way even if it's found in a fancy-pants, late-'60s, Yamaha Red Label. I'm guessing the back and sides are ply rosewood, though.

It was just in for a setup but I'm glad it was here long-enough to grab pictures and a clip. I'm not very into the extra bling in the fretboard but I do like the '80s cherry sunburst and Martin vibe.